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Pa  a.  i P..  E 


3 


ADDRESS 


DELIVERED  ON  THE 


TEi^TH  /INN/VElijS/lRY  l 


OF 


;THE  MISSIONARY  GLEANERS’  SOCIETY.” 


AT 


Y.  M.  C.  A.  HALL,  MAY  22,  1884, 


BY 


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ADDRESS 


DELIVERED  ON  THE 

TENTH  ANNIVERSARY 

— OF  — 

"THE  MISSIONARY  GLEANERS’  SOCIETY." 


Dear  Friends  of  the  “Gleaners”: 

Before  I proceed  to  the  more  strictly  historical  part  of 
this  address,  let  me  tell  you  why  we  celebrate  our  tenth 
anniversary  in  this  public  manner,  and  also  ask  you  to  look 
with  leniency  upon  us  as  we  appear  before  you  this  evening, 
as  we  are  but  children  in  years  and  understanding  in  com- 
parison with  many  of  our  older  and  talented  friends  who 
have  often  entertained  you. 

The  8th  of  July  next  ushers  in  the  tenth  birthday  of  “The 
Missionary  Gleaners  Society,”  and  some  of  us  have  thought 
that  it  would  be  not  only  wise  and  fitting,  but  a benefit  to  us 
and  to  our  friends,  as  well  as  to  some  of  the  many  strangers 
who  are  thronging  to  our  shores,  if,  at  this  time,  we  could 
come  before  you  as  a society,  and  show  you  who  we  are,  and 
tell  you  what  we  are  doing.  And,  as  many  of  our  number 
are  schoolgirls  who  expect  to  be  away  for  vacation  before 
the  actual  ten  years  are  up,  we  have  therefore  decided  upon 
this  early  date  for  our  celebration,  as  well  as  for  the  reason 
that  we  may  bring  it  before  our  annual  meeting,  which  takes 
place  during  the  first  week  in  June. 

So  much  for  reasons  and  explanations.  Now  let  me  pro- 
ceed with  an  account  of  our  doings  since  we  first  saw  the 
light,  July  8,  1874. 


2 


I well  remember  my  first  impressions  upon  hearing  from 
one  of  my  schoolmates  that  on  such  a day,  at  such  an  hour, 
we  were  to  assemble  in  Fort  Street  Vestry  to  form  a mission- 
ary society.  I was  a young  lady — in  years  at  least — and  yet 
it  had  never  occurred  to  me,  (and  I think  the  feeling  was 
general  a nong  us),  that  we  young  people  could  help  in  the 
missionary  work,  except  by  giving  our  dimes  and  quarters  in 
Sabbath  school,  or  that  we  could  have  a society  of  our  own, 
corresponding  to  the  ‘‘Woman’s  Board”  or  the  “Ladies 
Benevolent  Society,”  whose  precincts  not  one  of  us  could 
have  been  induced  to  enter — we  stood  in  such  awe  of  those 
august  bodies — and  this  too,  notwithstanding  we  had  all  been 
brought  up  in  a missionary  atmosphere,  and  mostofthe  older 
girls  were  professing  Christians.  I can  only  explain  this  by 
the  fact  that,  in  those  days,  there  was  not  so  much  done  to 
interest  children  as  in  these  more  enlightened  times,  nor  was 
there  so  frequent  communications  with  the  outer  world  as 
now,  which  tends  so  largely  to  keep  us  instructed  in  regard 
to  what  our  far-away  brothers  and  sisters  are  doing,  which, 
in  turn,  helps  us  to  keep  awake  and  busy. 

At  that  time  some  new  missionaries  had  just  come  to  us, 
who  were  waiting  to  take  passage  in  the  “ Morning  Star  ” 
for  Ponape,  Micronesia — Mr.  and  Mrs.  Logan,  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Rand,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Taylor,  and  with  them  Mrs.  Sturgis, 
who  was  returning  to  the  scene  of  her  old  labors  after  a 
season  of  rest  among  home  friends.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rand 
were  only  recently  married,  which  fact,  of  course,  caused  the 
young  misses  of  the  community  to  regard  them  with  addi- 
tional interest.  And  I think  we  responded  to  the  invitation 
to  that  meeting  the  more  readily  that  we  were  much  inter- 
ested in  the  pretty,  girlish  bride,  who  was  not  much  older 
than  many  of  us,  and  who,  it  was  said,  would  meet  with  us 
to  help  us  and  talk  to  us. 

Mrs.  Sturgis  too,  was  to  be  present  ; but  the  prime  mover 
in  the  affair,  was  Miss  Mattie  Chamberlain,  who  is  well 
known  in  the  islands,  and  who  is  doing  such  a good  work  in 
the  Kawaiahao  Female  Seminiary.  To  this  good  lady  we 
owe  our  origin. 

There  were  about  twenty  of  us  present— but  I will  read  you 
the  minutes  of  that  first  meeting,  as  they  will  show  you  in  a 


3 


W yisurr<-~ 

vruMic  clear  and  concise  manner  than  I can,  what  we  did 
that  afternoon,  and  what  our  object  was  in  forming  such  a 
society. 

“ Wednesday,  July  8,  1874. — \ meeting  was  called  this 
afternoon,  in  a very  informal  manner,  of  the  young  ladies 
and  girls  of  our  foreign  community,  to  meet  Mrs.  Susan 
Sturgis  and  Mrs.  Carrie  Rand,  ladies  of  the  Micronesian  mis- 
sion, and  consult  as  to  forming  an  auxilliary  to  the  W.  B.  M. 
P.  I.  Miss  M.  A.  Haven  and  Miss  M.A.Chamberlain  assisting  ir. 
the  organization.  At3P.  m.  about  twenty  younggirlsgathered  at 
the  Ladies’  Parlor  of  Fort  Street  Church,  and  there,  after  an  intro- 
duction tothe  missionary  ladies,  commenced  operations.  Miss 
Haven  stated  in  a few  words  the  object  of  coming  together, 
and  Miss  Chamberlain  assisted  to  set  the  machinery  in  mo- 
tion by  suggesting  a Nominating  Committee,  of  themselves, 
who  should  retire  and  bring  in  a ticket  of  nomination  for 
officers.  Miss  Cornelia  Beckwith,  Miss  Clara  Moseley  and 
Miss  Minnie  Hobron  were  suggested  as  the  committee,  and, 
having  withdrawn,  soon  returned  with  the  following  ticket, 
which  was  unanimously  adopted  by  vote  of  raised  hands  : 

President,  Miss  PI.  F.  Coan  ; vice-president,  Miss  M.  A. 
Haven  ; rec.  secretary,  Miss  Lucy  S.  White ; treasurer, 
Miss  Julie  Beckwith  ; directress  of  sewing,  Miss  Hattie  Castle. 
Subsequently  the  office  of  corresponding  secretary  was 
thought  advisable,  and  the  girls  unanimously  chose  Miss 
Nealie  Beckwitlrto  that  office. 

Various  subjects  were  discussed  quite  informally.  Mrs. 
Sturgis  told  them  what  they  could  do  for  Ponape  at  their 
meetings,  in  the  way  of  cutting  out  and  basting  clothing  for 
the  converts  to  sew'  themselves.  The  proposition  met  with 
favor.  A slight  admission  fee  of  25  cts.  was  fixed  upon. 

Mrs.  Rand  was  adopted  as  the  missionary  of  the  society  ; 
i.  e.  the  one  with  whom  they  would  correspond  and  feel  a 
personal  interest  in.  She  spoke  a few  words  to  them,  full  of 
girlish  enthusiasm  and  interest. 

After  voting  to  meet  again  four  weeks  from  that  day,  at 
thehomeofNealieandJulieBeckwith,  the  meeting  wasclosed  by 
singing  the  “The  Morning  Light  is  Breaking”  and  prayer  by 
Mrs.  Sturgis/ f 


4 


Miss  Coan,  whom  we  elected  for  our  president,  did  not 
feel  able  to  serve,  and,  at  our  third  meeting,  resigned  in  fa- 
or  of  Miss  Hessie  Dickson,  whoaccepted,  and  faithfully  filled  her 
position  until  some  three  years  since,  when,  much  to  our 
dismay,  she  left  us  to  assume  new  duties  in  a home  of  her 
own 

Before  her  departure  however,  she  exerted  herself  to  find 
us  a president,  and  succeeded  in  persuading  Mrs.  E.  O.  Hall 
to  fill  the  vacancy. 

These  minutes  which  I have  read  you  do  not  state  the 
fact,  that,  as  we  could  not  readily  think  of  a name  (as  is  of- 
ten the  case  with  young  and  promising  infanlts  ?)the  choice 
of  one  was  left  to  Mrs.  Rand,  who,  ere  her  departure  a few 
days  after  for  Ponape,  left  us  that  of  “Missionary  Gleaners,” 
and  this  has  helped  to  tighten  the  cords  of  love  which,  ever 
since,  have  bound  us  to  her. 

In  passing  let  me  say  that  the  office  of  corresponding 
secretary  is  the  only  one  which  has  not  been  changed 
in  all  the  ten  years,  except  as  the  holder  of  it  has 
changed  her  name  ; but  piincipally  because  she  has  not  had 
the  good  fortune  to  travel  in  foreign  countries,  or  the  ill  for 
tune  of  being  incapacitated  by  sickness  ! 

Article  i ofour  by-laws  says,  “The  object  of  this  society  shall 
be  to  cultivate  a missionarv  spirit  among  its  members,  by 
united  efforts  to  help  those  in  need,  as  objects  shall  from 
time  to  time  come  before  the  society,  and  be  agreed  upon 
by  the  society.” 

Duringthefirstfewyearsofourexistence,  our  main  object  was 
to  aid  the  missionaries  by  cuttingand  basting  clothing  for  the 
natives — not  making  them,  as  they  wished  to  teach  them  to 
sew,  and  thus  earn  their  own  clothing.  This  facilitated 
matters  for  the  ladies,  by  saving  them  the  time  it  generally 
took  for  preparing  work. 

But  alas  ! I fear  our  first  year’s  work  hindered  rather 
than  helped.  We  had  been  told  that  the  natives  were 
mostly  large  and  stout,  and  that  we  must  not  get  the  articles 
too  small.  Too  small  ! I wish  you  could  have  seen  them  ! 
for  surely  none  but  a nation  of  giants  could  have  worn  the 
huge  sacks  and  voluminous  skirt-bands  that  went  down  in 
our  first  box  to  Micronesia  ! There  is  nothing  like  experi- 
ence to  teach  wisdom. 


5 


We  also  made  patchwork  quilts — now  I hear  some  one 
say,  “Yes  ; of  course — there  never  was  a missionary  society 
yet  that  did  not  make  quilts  !”  Please,  good  friends,  listen, 
while  I “rise  to  explain.”  Our  quilts  are  only  two  thicknesses 
of  calico,  there  being  no  waddling  needed,  as  it  is  very  warm 
in  Micronesia,  and  they  are  sent  to  Mrs.  Rand,  who  distri- 
butes them  to  the  native  Christian  teachers,  whom  they  ed- 
ucate to  send  among  their  fellow-men  on  some  of  the  si  r- 
rounding  islands,  and  who  are  often  too  poor  to  supply 
themselves  with  any  covering  whatever.  Moreover,  patch- 
work  helps  to  keep  the  little  hands  busy  at  our  monthly 
meetings,  which  otherwise  would  be  idle  and  perhaps  get  in- 
to mischief. 

We  soon  gave  up  our  attempts  at  clothing  the  heathen, 
sending  down  instead  pieces  of  calico,  and  things  needed 
in  the  schools,  in  accordance  with  suggestions  contained  in 
Mrs.  Rand’s  frequent  letters.  And  the  work  at  the  meetings 
grew  to  be  more  in  the  line  of  fancy  work,  the  orders  for 
which  coming  from  our  friends,  and  the  proceeds  helping  to 
fill  our  money  bag. 

Aside  from  the  work  in  Micronesia,  we  generally  added 
our  mite  to  whatever  charitable  objects  came  before  us 
here. 

In  regard  to  public  entertainments  we  have  appeared 
before  you  quite  frequently  of  late  years  ; but  our  first  effort 
in  that  line  was  in  connection  with  the  “Ladies  Benevolent 
Society,”  in  1874,  when  we  assisted  them  by  having  a table  at 
a lair,  at  which  we  realized  the  sum  of  $243,  (two  hundred 
and  forty-three  dollars)  which  helped  to  swell  their  treasury. 
Again  in  1879  we  assisted  them  in  the  same  way. 

In  May,  1877  we  made  our  real  first  public  appearance  in 
the  shape  of  tableaux  in  Buffum’s  Hall,  which  old  reisidents 
will  remember  as  being  situated  in  the  midst  of  what  is  now 
Chinatown.  It  was  then  about  the  only  suitable  place  for 
an  entertainment  of  that  kind  ; but  it  was  so  small,  and  there 
was  such  a crowd  to  witness  our  debut,  that  many  went 
away  disappointed  in  being  unable  to  gain  even  standing 
room.  Notwithstanding  the  many  disadvantages  however, 
we  realized  the  neat  little  sum  of  $151,  (one  hundred  and 
fifty-one  dollars)  $25  (twenty-five)  of  which  we  immediately 


6 


donated  to  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  in  recognition  of  the  kindly  aid 
given  us  by  some  of  the  members.  $100  (one  hundred)  of 
this  we  put  into  the  bank  for  a nest-egg,  the  interest  of  which 
has  been  very  helpful  to  us. 

A year  and  a half  after  our  successful  debut,  in  December, 
1876,  we  made  a second  venture  in  the  shape  of  a fair, 
which  was  held  in  the  afternoon  in  the  parlors  of  “ Sweet 
Home,”  (the  residence  of  the  late  Dr.  Judd)  which  were 
kindly  loaned  us  for  the  occasion  by  the  owner,  Miss  Nellie 
Judd,  who  was  at  that  time  our  directress.  This  was  quite 
a unique  affair  in  that  it  was  gotten  up  by  the  wee  ones  of  the 
society,  and  all  the  fancy  articles  made  by  them.  I think 
not  one  thing  was  contributed  by  the  older  girls,  as  the  little 
ones  took  great  pride  in  being  able  to  say  it  was  their  sale. 
We  however  offered  to  add  to  its  attractions  by  furnishing 
refreshments,  and  this  proposition  was  thankfully  accepted. 
Such  a merry  time  as  we  had  that  afternoon  ! All  the  girls 
who  were  not  “ Gleaners  ” wished  they  were,  and  all  the 
boys,  papas  and  mammas,  uncles  and  aunties  who  couldn't  be 
“ Gleaners,”  cheerfully  emptied  their  pockets  of  dimes  for 
the  admission  fee,  and  after  paying  it  and  entering  the 
charmed  place,  were  rifled  of  quarters  as  well  as  dime's  for 
cake  and  coflee,  while  no  one  could  withstand  the  mute 
pleadings  of  the  bright  eyes  and  flushed  cheeks  of  the  little 
ladies  who  presided  at  the  fancy  table,  and  whose  hearts 
came  nigh  to  bursting  with  their  load  of  satisfaction,  when, 
at  the  close  of  the  afternoon,  our  President  announced  the 
sum  realized  to  be  about  $56  (fifty-six  dollars). 

Our  next  entertainment  for  the  benefit  of  the  society — 
a fair  held  in  1880 — took  place  under  rather  discouraging 
circumstances,  inasmuch  as  the  small-pox  was  just  breaking 
out,  and  many  doubted  the  wisdom  of  holding  any  large 
gathering  at  that  time.  We  were  very  much  perplexed  as  to 
what  was  best  to  do,  and  I well  remember  our  President 
coming  to  me  one  morning  and  quite  upsetting  my  equani- 
mity by  declaring  that  I must  settle  the  question  ? She  had 
been  around  to  several  parties  to  get  their  opinions,  and  was 
all  tired  out,  and  thought  to  settle  it  by  laying  her  com- 
mands upon  me  1 


7 


Finally  however,  the  majority  ruled,  and  we  held  our  fair 
one  pleasant  afternoon  at  “Algeroba  Place,”  the  residence 
of  the  Vice-president — the  sum  realized,  $130,  (one  hundred 
and  thirty  dollars)  being  far  above  our  hopes,  as  many  did 
not  think  it  prudent  to  attend.  This  time  we  added  ice- 
cream to  our  usual  bill  of  fare,  which  was  a very  successful 
innovation.  Refreshments  were  served  on  the  back  veranda, 
the  fancy,  flower  and  candy  tables  occupying  the  parlor  and 
dinning  room,  while  the  remainder  of  the  rooms  were  open 
for  those  who  wished  to  retire  from  the  crowd  of  buyers  for 
rest  or  conversation. 

In  December,  1881,  we  again  came  before  you  with  a 
fair  ; but  we  had  by  this  time  grown  older  and  bolder,  so 
that,  in  consequence  of  having  been  previously  so  generously 
treated  by  that  terrible  tryrant,  The  Public,  we  decided  to 
hold  our  fair  in  the  ladies’  parlors  of  Fort  Street  Church,  and 
to  charge  an  admission  fee  of  25  cts.  instead  of  10  cts.  as  for- 
merly. This  was  also  held  in  the  afternoon,  and,  as  usual, 
was  successful,  the  sum  realized  being  $214,  (two  hundred 
and  fourteen  dollars).  It  was  at  this  fair  that  the  largest  and 
handsomest  of  our  dolls  was  bought  by  the  Gleaners  by  sub- 
scription, and  presented  at  Christmas  to  the  little  daughter 
of  the  pastor  of  Fort  Street  Church,  not  because  we  con- 
sidered her  an  object  of  charity,  but  because,  although  a new- 
comer among  us,  she  had  already  won  our  hearts  by  her 
sweet  face  and  pretty  ways. 

About  this  time  too  a discussion  arose  concerning  our 
beneficiary  at  the  Waialua  Female  Seminary — which  was 
soon  to  be  disbanded — as  to  whether  we  should  continue 
her  support  in  some  other  school  or  not.  As  we  found  that 
she  was  doing  well,  and  was  moreover  just  at  the  age  when 
these  native  girls  ought  to  be  surrounded  by  good  influences, 
we  decided  to  continue  her  support  at  Kawaiahao  Seminary, 
where  she  has  remained  ever  since.  For  this  the  sum  of  $50 
(fifty  dollars)  per  annum  is  required. 

In  February,  1882  came  a letter  from  Rev.  Mr.  Doane  at 
Ponape,  asking  our  aid  in  behalf  of  a little  blind  girl  whom 
he  has  discovered,  and  he  was  very  anxious  she  would  be 
taught  to  read.  He  wanted  us,  if  possible,  to  procure  one 
or  more  text-books  for  the  blind,  which  we  did  very  readily, 


8 


applying  to  the  Principal  of  the  Institute  for  the  deaf  and  dumb 
and  the  blind  in  Berkeley,  California.  This  gentleman 
kindly  sent  us  several  books  as  a gift,  and  we  were  pleased 
to  learn,  on  the  return  of  the  “ Star  ” last  year,  that  the  little 
girl  learned  very  rapidly,  and  was  exceedingly  pleased  to  find 
that  she  could  do  so. 

It  has  been  our  custom,  ever  since  the  formation  of  the 
society,  to  aid  thus  in  little  ways,  wherever  it  was  possible 
for  us  to  do  so. 

When  any  of  the  missionaries  come  up  in  the  “Star,”  we 
generally  try  to  discover  some  of  their  needs  and  supply 
them  if  possible. 

Three  years  ago,  our  own  missionary,  Mrs.  Rand,  reach- 
ed us  on  her  way  to  the  States  in  search  of  health,  after 
having  labored  in  Ponape  for  seven  years.  Our  meeting 
was  a joyful  one,  though  tempered  with  sadness,  when  we 
learned  that,  a few  days  after  embarking  in  the  “Star,”  her 
little  Willie,  a babe  of  two  years,  left  them  after  a short 
illness,  to  be  at  rest  with  Jesus.  They  were  enabled  to 
bring  his  precious  remains  to  Honolulu,  which  were  tenderly 
laid  to  rest  in  the  beautiful  mission  grave-yard  at  Kawaiahao. 
In  loving  remembrance  the  Gleaners  marked  the  spot  with 
a marble  scroll, 

Mrs.  Rand  spent  a year  at  her  home  in  Massachussetts, 
and  in  May  1882  returned  to  us  with  health  much  im- 
proved, and  full  of  eagerness  to  renew  her  labors  among  the 
people  in  Ponape.  But  ere  the  “Star”  left  us,  the  Gleaners 
filled  a large  box  with  gifts  for  all  those  who  were  to  be  at 
Ponape,  placing  it  on  board  without  notifying  the  Rands, 
under  whose  supervision  it  was  to  be  opened.  These  gifts 
came  from  individual  members  and  not  from  the  society 
funds,  and  wras  therefore  all  the  more  pleasant  a surprise  to 
them  when  Christmas  came  around. 

Not  more  than  three  or  four  months  after  Mrs.  Rand  had 
left  us,  she  became  in  a nearer  and  dearer  sense  our  very 
own  missionary,  and  now  let  me  go  back  a little  and  tell 
you  how  such  a thing  could  be  possible  as  she  had  always 
seemed  like  one  of  us. 

Some  little  time  before  Mrs.  Rand’s  visit  to  us,  which  I 
have  just  mentioned,  Mrs.  Lowell  Smith,  the  able  president 


9 


of  the  “Woman’s  Board”  attended  one  of  our  meetings,  as 
she  often  does,  in  order  to  be  certain  of  the  progress  and 
welfare  of  their  “child” — and  in  the  course  of  some  remarks, 
sprung  upon  us  this  thought — “Why  could’nt  the  Gleaners 
some  day  support  a missionary,'?”  I say  sprung  it  upon  us, 
beeause  such  a wild  idea  had  never  entered  one  of  our  busy 
brains.  But  the  thought  once  lodged  there  would  not  be 
removed,  and  especially  from  that  of  our  energetic  and 
thoughtful  president,  Mrs.  E.  O.  Hall,  who,  after  thinking 
it  over  and  planning  the  ways  and  means,  one  day  broach- 
ed it  to  the  Gleaners,  where  it  met  with  instant  favor. 

Wehadbeen  in  thehabit  every  yearof  sending  to  each  of  the 
white  missionaries  in  Micronesia  a box  containing  little  nic- 
nacs  and  relishes  to  the  amount  of  $5.00  (five  dollars)  each, 
and  this  we  decided  to  give  up,  as  the  twenty  or  thirty  dol- 
lars thus  expended,  would  help  out  considerably  in  the  pay- 
ment of  our  missionary, s salary.  There  too  was  our  nestegg 
of  one  hundred  dollars  in  the  bank,  to  which  additions  had 
been  made  at  different  times,  and  which  would  help  for  the 
first  year,  so  we  thought  we  could  easily  pay  a missionary. 

We  did  not  need  to  vote  as  to  who  that  missionary  should 
be,  for  our  thoughts  turned  unanimously  to  the  one  who 
christened  us,  and  who,  all  these  years,  had  written  us 
such  bright  and  interesting  letters — Mrs.  Rand.  So  Mr.  E. 
O.  Hall,  who  was  then  agent  for  the  “American  Board  of 
Commissioners  for  Foreign  Missions,”  kindly  wrote  to  them, 
making  inquiries  as  to  the  feasibility  of  our  plans,  and  we 
soon  received  answer  that,  as  they  paid  Mr.  and  Mrs,  Rand 
$500  (five  hundred  dollars)  a year,  they  would  allow  us  to 
pay  Mrs.  Rand  $200  (two  hundred  dollars). 

It  was  a glad  day  for  us  when  we  received  this  notification, 
and  Ht  in  consequence  that  we  had  a definite  object  to  work 
for.  In  January  1883  our  first  payment  was  made. 

Aside  from  this  and  the  $50  (fifty  dollars)  per  annum 
for  the  support  of  Annie  Gleaner  at  the  Kawaiahao  Female 
Seminary,  we  pay  $2.00  (two  dollars)  a month  for  a Haw- 
aiian Bible-reader  in  Honolulu.  These  are  the  definite 
objects  for  which  we  work  but  we  are  always  ready,  as  I 
have  mentioned  before,  to  aid  in  any  charitable  object 
which  is  brought  to  our  notice. 


I o 


Having  a specific  sum  of  money  to  raise  has  done  us  a 
vast  deal  of  good  already,  in  that  it  has  roused  us  to  new  ef- 
forts and  sacrifices. 

Most  of  the  members  are  school-girls  consequently  their 
time  is  not  all  their  own,  and' they  cannot  therefore  do  as 
much  as  they  would  like  to.  One  of  the  first  things  we  did. 
to  help  raise  our  yearly  fund,  was  to  change  our  membership 
fee  from  25  cents  a year  to  50  cents  for  those  over  twelve 
years  of  age  which  in  addition  to  our  monthly  collections,  aids 
our  fund  wonderfully.  Many  of  our  number  also  have  be- 
come life-members,  for  which  the  fee  is  $2  50  (two  dollars 
and  fifty  cents). 

We  determined  as  well  to  make  a new  effort  in  the  line  of 
fancy-work  for  sale,  so,  ladies,  if  you  wish  a particularly 
handsome  toilet  set,  or  a lovely  dress  for  baby,  please  apply 
to  us,  and  we  promise  to  give  satisfaction  in  work  as 
well  as  price.  And  gentlemen  just  the  loveliest  broidered 
bat-bands  you  ever  saw  ! 

But  with  all  these  helps  we  cannot  raise  the  needful  sum 
without  every  now  and  then,  a little  aid  from  the  public,  and 
this  we  hope  to  secure  by  giving  you  occasionally  pleasant 
and  amusing  entertainments,  which  we  trust  will  be  generous- 
ly patronized. 

The  first  one  of  these — being  the  fifth  in  the  annals  ot 
the  society — took  place  in  April  of  last  year,  and  was  so  suc- 
cessful that  we  felt  greatly  encouraged  for  the  future.  This 
time  too  we  enlarged  still  further  upon  our  former  practice 
(beware  of  next  time  !)  in  that  out  admission  fee  was  raised 
again  from  that  of  25  cents  at  our  last  entertainment  to  50 
cents.  But  we  made  this  fair  and  square  by  giving  you  a 
double  amount  of  entertainment — the  first  part  of  the  even- 
ing being  devoted  to  the  rendering  of  a choice  musical  and 
literary  programme,  in  the  midst  of  which  came  the  famous 
fan-drill,  which  was  performed  by  ten  quaint  little  misses  in 
Kate  Greenaway  costume. 

“After  this” — to  quote  from  our  recording  secretary 
“stage  and  scenery  quickly  disappeared,  tables  and  waitres- 
ses taking  their  place,  serving  tea,  coffee,  ice  cream  and  the 
usual  refreshments.  The  fancy-table  was  soon  dispoiled 
of  its  pretty  treasures,  and  the  evening  passed  quickly  and 


11 


•ileasantlv  The  words  of  the  managing  editor  ot  the  Sat- 
urday Press  seem  a fit  closing  for  another  ot  the  (ll®aner^ 
entertainments-"— ‘And  the  best  ot  it  all  is,  the  affair. 

finlstnLedL<it  was,  the  sum  realized  being  something  over 
5-00  (five  hundred  dollars),  which  relieved  us  ot  the 
necessity  of  giving,  and  you  of  the  pleasure  of  paying  for 
another  entertainment  for  some  time  to  come 

\ few  days  alter  this,  our  President,  Mrs.  E.  O Hall,  vwtn 
her  husband,  left  us  to  be  absent  several  njo^hs  tn  t 
United  States.  Soon  after  ner  departure,  our  first  1 resident. 
Mrs  Hessie  Dickson  Howard,  rejoiced  all  hearts  by  making 
us  a living  visit.  Her  stay  was  all  too  short ; but  the  Glean- 
ers managed  to  secure  her  for  one  evening,  and  gave  her  a 
reception°in  the  ladies’  parlors  of  Fort-Street  Church,  mv.fi 
in,r  our  parents  and  friends  to  join  us  in  welcoming  her. 
wa°s  a most  enjoyable  evening,  and  one  seldom  sees  so 
Dretty  a sight  as  those  rooms  presented  that  night  the  low 
hness  of  its  fioral  decorations  being  enhanced  by  the  groups 
of  merry  girls  flitting  hither  and  thither  in  their  pretty  white 

dresses  and  bright-hued  sashes. 

We  rather  pitied  Mr.  Howard  as  one  alter  another  came 
up  to  be  introduced  to  “ Miss  Hessie’s  husband  ; but  he 

bore  the  ordeal  bravely.  , 

lust  before  refreshments  were  served,  the  girls  slyly  an, 
quietly  closed  around  their  two  principal  guests,  while  our 
Vice-president,  Miss  Sarah  King,  gracefully  addressed  Mrs 
Howard  in  a few  cordial  words  of  welcome,  offering  her  at 
the  same  time  a basket  of  choice  flowers  most  e^qui^e  > 
arranged,  as  a love-gift  from  the  society.  1 his  took  Mrs. 
Howard  somewhat  by  surprise  ; but  she  was  equal  to  the 
occasion,  and  answered  in  her  own  lovmg+way.  ending 
passing  to  our  .Treasurer  the  sum  requisite  for  making  two 
of  her  daughters  life-members  ot  the  soiietv 

Cake  and  ice-cream  were  then  served,  the  company  dis- 
persing at  a late  hour,  and  a few  days  after  we  bade  farewell 
to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Howard  as  they  left  us  to  return  to  their 

home  in  Illinois.  . , 

Hut  a few  months  after  this  happy  gathering,  we  received 

the  sad  news  of  the  death  of  Mr.  E.  O.  Hall.  Mrs.  Hall  re- 


turned  immediately,  and  at  our  November  meeting  sent  in  a- 
request  to  resign.  This  was  not  accepted,  and  a committee 
was  appointed  to  wait  on  her,  asking  her  to  reconsider  it. 
This  she  promised  to  do  ; but  in  February,  after  due  con- 
sideration, sent  in  her  second  and  final  resignation.  It  was 
reluctantly  accepted,  as  she  had  proven  herself  so  faithful  and 
earnest  in  the  interests  of  the  society. 

I was  away  at  the  time,  and  the  Gleaners  then  took  a very 
unfair  advantage  of  that  absence  by  voting  me  to  fill  the  va- 
cancy ! 

When  I learned  of  this  in  my  return  and  entered  my  pro- 
test against  it — as  I did  not  feel  that  1 had  the  time  to  de- 
vote to  it — I was  answered  by  the  qestion,  “ What  else  could 
we  do  ? ” so,  without  further  words,  1 accepted,  until  our 
annual  meeting,  thinking  that  I would  not  .place  them 
in  such  straits  again,  or  subject  any  other  person  to  the 
ordeal  of  being  elected  to  the  honorable  position  because  they 
could  find  no  one  else  ! 

Next  year  we  hope  to  secure  a lady  whom  we  know  we 
shall  all  love,  and  who  is  ably  fitted  in  every  way  to  beat  the 
head  of  such  a society. 

During  the  ten  years  of  its  existence,  our  society  has  been 
a wonderfully  prosperous  one — for  which  we  ascribe  all 
praise  to  the  dear  Master  whom  we  serve — though  we  have 
met  with  many  discouragements,  not  the  least  of  which  has 
been  from  the  fact  that,  just  as  sure  as  the  first  Saturday  in 
the  month  comes  around — which  is  the  regular  day  for  our 
meetings — just  so  sure  does  some  good  mother  or  auntie,  for- 
getting entirely  the  meeting  for  that  day,  plan  a picnic  for 
Waikiki  or  the  woods,  which  always  takes  away  more  or  less 
of  our  members,  and  naturally  their  interests  in  the  society 
and  its  work  flags  : whereas,  if  they  could  only  attend  regu- 
larly— and  their  parents  make  it  a point  to  see  that  they  do, 
they  would  thus  become  intimately  connected  with  what 
transpires  at  each  meeting,  and  would  not  make  any  com- 
plaint of  want  of  interest. 

So,  dear  mothers,  aunties  and  older  sisters,  and  I might  say 
as  well,  fathers,  uncles  and  big  brothers,  please  don’t  plan 
picnics,  or  anything  else  distracting,  for  the  first  Saturday  of 
the  month. 


i3 


For  such  a society  should  exert  an  important  influence 
upon  our  young  people  in  training  them  for  Christian  work 
—and  especially  in  these  busy  days,  when  our  minds  are  so 
apt  to  be  diverted  by  other  things.  And  here  I would  enter 
a plea,  in  behalf  of  the  Gleaners,  to  the  Mothers.  For  we 
have  a duty  in  regard  to  it  as  well  as  our  daughters  who  are 

members.  , , 

It  has  come  to  me  lately  with  much  force  that  there  is  a 
great  deal  in  habit.  If  we  do  not  teach  our  children  the  impor- 
tance of  attending  church  and  Sabbath  school  while  they  are 
under  our  influence,  they  are  not  likely  to  do  so  after  they 
reach  manhood  and  womanhood.  It  we  do  not  impress 
upon  them  now  the  importance  of  joining  such  societies  as 
the  “Missionary  Gleaners”  and  the  “Y.  M.  C.  A.  Boys, 
and  after  joining,  their  duty  in  the  matter  of  regular  atten- 
dance, where  will  be  our  future  Woman’s  Boards  and  Young 
Men’s  Christian  Associations,  as  well  as  our  ministers  and 
missionaries5  It  is  all  work  for  the  Master,  and  if  we,  the 
heads  of  our  households,  take  no  interest  in  this  work,  how 
can  we  expect  those  under  our  care  to  do  so  ? Our  children 
should  grow  up  in  this  atmosphere,  or  how  keen  will  be  our 
disappointment  in  future  years  should  they  evince  little  or 
no  interest  in  the  cause  of  Christ  ! 

And  now,  dear  Gleaned,  as  we  pass  this  landmark  in  our 
history  and  enter  upon  a new  term  of  years,  may  we  do  so 
with  renewed  zeal — and  wherever  our  work  in  the  future 
shall  be,  may  we,  as  individual  members,  glean  so  faithfully 
for  the  Master  in  the  world’s  vast  harvest  field,  that,  as  was 
written  of  one  of  old,  so,  when  our  life-work  is  done,  it  may 
be  said  of  each  one  of  us,  “ She  hath  done  what  she  could  ” 

Nealie  B.  Damon, 

Delivered  May  22,  1884.  President. 


THE  FEAST  OF  THE  FLOWERS. 


Once  on  a time,  long  long  ago, 

When  flowers  could  read,  write  talk  and  do 

All  that  men  in  the  present  day 

Are  proud  to  own,  think,  act  and  say, 

Lord  Hollyhock  whose  royal  blood 
Coursed  through  his  veins  a purple  flood, 

A grand  commencement  dinner  made, 

And  to  it,  all  the  flowers  he  bade. 

’Twas  to  the  graduates  ’twas  given. 

Those  who  by  earnest  toil  had  risen 

Above  the  common  class  of  flowers 

And  now  stepped  forth  with  strengthened  powers 

From  out  their  college  walls,  t’  impart 

Rich  gathered  lore  to  each  flower  heart. 

The  first  and  highest  honored  one, 

Was  Lord  Hollyhock’s  most  noble  son, 

Then  Crown  Imperials  nephew  bold, 

Sir  Tulip’s  heir,  (high  born  its  told). 

The  cousin  of  the  Princess  Feather, 

And  Earl  Sunflower’s  gifted  brother. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Heartease’s  sons, 

And  Bishop  Dahlia’s  prouder  ones. 

Old  Admiral  Seaweed’s  youngest  child, 

With  Pennyroyals  cousin  wild. 

And  many  more  of  noble  name. 

High  gifted  and  of  fairest  fame. 

But  Beauty  graced  the  festal  board. 

And  Fragrance  all  around  was  poured. 

M ss  Hollyhock  in  all  her  pride. 

With  Miss  Carnation  by  her  side 
Received  the  guests  both  young  and  old, 

The  maidens  fair,  the  heroes  bold. 


15 


The  Rose  with  deepest  blushes  dyed 
Came  first,  with  White  Rose  by  her  side. 
Fcrget-me-not  with  sweet  blue  eyes 
Her  friend  Miss  Pansy  there  espies. 

1 he  pure  Gardinia,  sweet  and  lair, 

1 he  Heliotrope  with  modest  air, 

With  star-eyed  Jasmine  then  came  in, 

And  joined  the  gathered  throng  within. 

The  shrinking  plant  so  Sensitive 
It  scarce  dares  move  or  breathe  or  live. 

With  fragrant  Violet  entrance  makes, 

And  kindly  met,  fresh  courage  takes. 
Magnolias  pour  their  fragrance  round, 

And  sweetness  springs  from  all  the  ground. 
The  Marigold  so  wondrous  proud, 

With  gaudy  dress  and  voice  so  loud, 

Walked  in  with  gorgeous  Daffodil, 

And  comments  made,  both  good  and  ill. 
The  Lily  white  with  stately  mien, 

Adds  beauty  to  the  floral  scene  ; 

Geranium,  Myrtle,  Daisy  sweet, 

With  wondrous  Stephanoti’s  meet. 

All  in  the  lovely  land  of  flowers, 

Wove  grace  and  worth  within  their  bowers, 
Thus  o'er  the  grand  and  festal  board, 

Was  nought  but  sweetest  fragrance  poured. 

Down  to  the  Banquet  Feast  they  sat, 
Ambrosia,  Nectar  sweet,  all  that 
Could  tempt  the  taste  of  flowers, 

Distilled  in  evening’s  dewy  showers. 

In  fairy  cups  they  drank  the  health, 

The  future  honor,  glory,  wealth, 

Of  all  for  whom  this  day  was  famed, 

Nor  ceased  they  until  all  were  named. 

At  last.  Lord  Hollyhock’s  proud  name, 

So  high  in  virtue,  honor,  fame, 

In  drops  of  dew  was  sipped  by  all 
Who  graced  the  proud  old  banquet  Hall. 

To  which  in  substance  he  replied 
And  eyed  the  gathered  throng  with  pride. 
He  was  rejoiced,  he  said,  to  meet 
Such  grace  and  beauty  round  his  seat. 
None  better  felt  than  he,  the  worth 
Of  all  the  advantages  of  biith. 

But  beauty,  unless  fragrance  too 
Was  found  in  every  leaf  and  hue, 


Had  little  worth,  would  pass  aside. 

And  perish  in  its  foolish  pride. 

Not  simply  to  adorn  the  earth, 

Did  God  to  Flowers  give  their  birth, 

But  for  the  benefit  of  man. 

Who  from  them  all,  some  virtue  can 
Fxtract,  and  thereby  bless  his  race 
With  healing,  culled  {torn  every  place. 

This  healing  balm  was  oftenest  found 
In  lowly  flowers,  which  shed  around 
The  sweetest  fragrance,  and  which  grew 
In  silent  vales,  of  softest  hue. 

Much  more  he  said  of  caution,  praise, 

All  that  could  for  the  flowers  raise 
Their  noblest  powers,  their  richest  worth. 
And  fit  them  thus  to  bless  the  earth. 

The  hush  of  twilight  came,  and  all 
Departed  from  the  banquet  hall. 

But  thoughts  were  born,  resolves  were  mad 
That  wrought  such  wondrous  good,  tis  said 
Their  virtues  great  in  every  clime, 

Are  traced  to  that  sweet Jlowcr  time. 


r 


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